21 February 2026
In a significant step towards making mining the second pillar of its national economy, Côte d’Ivoire has entered into a landmark South-South cooperation agreement with Botswana.
Ivorian Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, was received on Wednesday by Botswana’s Vice President, Ndaba Gaolathe, to begin a working mission centred on adopting the globally acclaimed “Botswana model” for resource management.
The partnership aims to leverage Botswana’s expertise in transforming natural resources, particularly diamonds, into a primary engine for sustainable development. During their discussions, Vice President Gaolathe expressed his country’s dedication to pan-African success, noting that sharing regional experiences is essential for the continent’s growth.
Detailed talks with Botswana’s Minister of Mines, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, established that the collaboration would prioritise institutional transparency, resource traceability, and the transfer of technical skills to professionalise the Ivorian workforce.
Minister Sangafowa-Coulibaly announced that technical negotiations will open immediately to finalise a memorandum of understanding designed to root wealth creation directly within Côte d’Ivoire. This protocol is intended to build an integrated value chain that aligns the Ivorian extractive industry with the highest international standards of governance.
As a testament to the strengthening ties between the two nations, Botswana has been officially named the guest of honour for the upcoming International Exhibition of Extractive and Energy Resources (SIREXE), which will take place in Abidjan in November 2026. This diplomatic gesture reinforces Côte d’Ivoire’s ambition to become a regional mining hub under the guidance of its Southern African partner.
Source: https://shorturl.at/pFlLe
